FIFA 2018:Second Matchday from today

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The FIFA World Cup 2018 is progressing rapidly, and it is now entering Matchday two. Two remaining encounters for Matchday 1 are to be played today after which the first match will be under progress. To bring you the fact digest of three games to be played today, here we are after some extensive research of stats. Presented in chronological order of play, have the best experience of the World Cup, 2018.

Colombia Vs. Japan

17:30 hrs

Colombia have qualified for their 6th World Cup, their second in a row after failing to reach the finals in the previous three editions. 2014 is the only time they have topped their group in the tournament. Japan have qualified for the World Cup for the sixth time, reaching every edition of the tournament since 1998 and alternating between getting knocked out in the group stages. Colombia are unbeaten against Japan (W2 D1). In fact, Japan have won their group only once at the World Cup – on home soil in 2002. This is Colombia boss José Pekerman’s third World Cup as manager, reaching the quarter-finals in each of his previous two: with Argentina in 2006 and Colombia in 2014. Japan has a new manager in Akira Nishino, who replaced Vahid Halilhodzic.

Russia Vs. Egypt

23:30 hrs

This will be the first ever encounter between Russia and Egypt. Since the breakup of the Soviet Union, Russia are unbeaten against African opposition at the World Cup (W2 D1). Since the split up of the USSR, Russia have never reached the knockout stages of the World Cup in three appearances. They have finished third in their group in each of those three editions. Russia (5) have already scored more goals in this tournament than they did in both 2014 (2) and 2002 (4), their last two appearances at the World Cup. Mohamed Elneny completed 44 passes versus Uruguay on matchday one, the most by an Egyptian player in a World Cup game since 1966. Russia’s Aleksandr Golovin has already been involved in three goals in this World Cup (1 goal, 2 assists).

Poland Vs. Senegal

20:30 hrs.

This is Poland’s eighth World Cup, but their first appearance since 2006. This will be the first ever encounter between Poland and Senegal. Senegal have qualified for their second World Cup, after their inaugural participation in 2002 where they reached the quarter-finals. Senegal has successfully defeated defending champions France in the group stage earlier. Robert Lewandowski was the top scorer in the 2018 European World Cup qualifiers with 16 goals for Poland. Diafra Sakho and Sadio Mané are the Senegal players who have been prominent in their team’s victory and are being counted upon. This is Adam Nawałka’s second major tournament as Poland manager after taking his country to the quarter-finals of Euro 2016. He represented the country in 1878 World Cup. While, this will be second major tournament as manager for Aliou Cissé’s, the captain of Senegal national team in 2002 after the 2017 African Cup of Nations.